Swinton is set to be 'transformed', with Salford Council ordering a 'masterplan' of proposals, although the details are being kept completely secret at this stage from the public.

The cash-strapped Council agreed this week to hand over £200,000 to its joint venture company, Urban Vision, for four months work, to come up with the masterplan, which will include a new leisure centre on the re-tarted Civic Centre 'campus', at a cost of £11.9million.

Salford City Council is about to initiate a major re-vamp of Swinton, particularly around what it calls a "remodelled Civic Campus" ie the Civic Centre. As far as the Salford Star can ascertain, no-one has been consulted about any plans and all details are being kept completely secret.

This week, behind closed doors, the Council agreed to pay its joint venture company Urban Vision £200,000 for four months work to create a Swinton Transformation Plan, although work seems to have started on it in 2014 (see photo above).

The public was not allowed to see the Council report, only the decision notice, signed by Councillor Bill Hinds, which showed that the Plan would be "informed by technical surveys and a business case to demonstrate delivery".

However, a separate report back in February on the future of the city's leisure centres proposed to close Swinton and Pendlebury Leisure Centre and to re-locate it within a "remodelled Civic Campus" at a cost of £11.9million with a planned timescale of five years (see here).

That report noted that "Careful consideration would be needed to determine the facility mix as the financial business case for such a new development is not strong, as the current operation is so financially efficient..."

There is nothing on the Swinton section of the Salford Council website about the Swinton Transformation Plan – or how to get involved in shaping it or being consulted on any proposals...

Bob wroteat 12:48:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25, 2017

When the council decided on forest bank wasn't there an agreement to build the lions a new stand down agecroft, seams to be forgotten about.

down but not out wroteat 12:42:17 PM on Sunday, April 23, 2017

Reading all these comments it's obvious that fans of Swinton Lions need a permanent place within Swinton to call their home, it's about time. Sport matters for everyone. I also ask can Salford Council get rid of the old library building it has always been an eyesore. There has been prisons built that look better than this building. Please pull it down!

Bob Hilton wroteat 4:31:15 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

Time for the Lions to come home! Let's have a community stadium to make Swinton proud. COYL.

Keith J. Smith wroteat 4:31:11 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

All very well, but this is all talk at the moment. If the council is going to help the Lions just half as much as our old local rivals Salford they should start off by allowing the field behind the town hall as the land to be allocated for the stadium rather than the 'remote' Agecroft site. Come on Salford City Council, do the right thing and bring the Lions home to the very heart of our town, it aint gonna kill you.

Robert Ward wroteat 4:30:50 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

If the plans are to include leisure facilities,would the powers that be consider building a small,say 5000 capacity stadium that can be used by Swinton Lions and other local sporting clubs and of course a community stadium can also incorporate leisure facilities for everyone to use and be a real asset to the town?

Chris allen wroteat 4:30:36 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

A community stadium and a new home for the swinton lions is an absolute must for the town and this historic club. The stadium would be used 12 hours a day for all sports on a 4g pitch just like Widnes rugby league clubs ground

Joe Seymour wroteat 3:11:50 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

Are you for real there's hundreds of homeless people in Manchester and swinton and salford and the dwp are putting families into starvation and your going to spend nearly 12 million pound on revamping the civic center that is a joke and you should be ashamed

Part time socailst wroteat 3:11:43 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

And here we go again, sound familiar? as every one forgot the Last labour master plan today gathering dust in the cellar at the town hall. They talk a good talk but do you ever wonder so close to an Election it looks good on paper can't you smell the bullshit when you open the door. The only money you will see going into rugby is into John Merrys white elephant Salford.me perhaps I would prefer decent homes ,jobs something to stimulate the local economy not one more Labour pre election pipe dream why secret? because then you can't look to close.

Rob Green wroteat 1:20:21 AM on Saturday, April 22, 2017

Anything would be an improvement. A suitable stadium could be built for all local schools to use along with full sporting facilities. The stadium could be used by Swinton Lions and would guarantee regular income. The whole scheme would re-generate the town.

Bartholomew Smythe III wroteat 11:42:57 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017

In 1992 the City of Salford Council turned its back on the area's original rugby club. However, the same council have bent over backwards for the Red Devils, which is fine because they also belong to the city. But now is the time (well 1992 would have been better) to redress the balance and bring the Lions home.
No more excuses, no more different standards. Swinton are one of the most historic clubs in world sport, and they belong in a state of the art stadium in Swinton.

Colin Robinson wroteat 11:42:45 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017

The redevelopment of Swinton has been a long time coming. I sincerely hope that all sports are catered for within a new sport for all complex in the town centre. A small community stadium with a modern 4g pitch linked to a new sports centre will go a long way to regenerating our famous old town. Bring it on asap and let's put Swinton back on the sporting map?

WOW Where did all these loyal Swinton fans appear from????????????? If as many fans were at their games than had posted on here they might not be in the trouble they are! Fact is Swinton are supported by a VERY few die hard fans that are prepared to 'Travel' to home games to support their team. My hat goes off to these fans but most Swinton 'fans' have never left Swinton for a game. # Armchair fans #Tag-a-longs

Scott cooper wroteat 1:57:37 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017

I like how it says "successful contractor" as if it's going to be anyone but Urban Vision, which is a partnership with Salford Council....scratching each others backs in secrecy!

Tex Evans wroteat 1:57:34 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017

Swinton Lions Rlfc need a permanent ground within the borough would be good for Swinton , been to long out of the limelight

David Curry wroteat 1:57:21 PM on Friday, April 21, 2017

A 5000 capacity multi sports stadium for local high schools to compete in would be tremendous an added bonus would be its availability for Swinton RLFC .
Another question , what will become of the Lancastrian Hall complex ? And why aren't you consulting the public .

Tracey Parker wroteat 11:16:10 AM on Friday, April 21, 2017

I think it is about time some pride was put back into Swinton through a community sports stadium, which can incorporate a leisure center. This could be used by all living within the area, from children's teams to professional teams like Swinton Lions R.L.F.C. Community facilities can be included in the model, offices, related shops. It would once again put Swinton on the map !

Robert Hope wroteat 11:16:01 AM on Friday, April 21, 2017

A small modern community beneficial stadium incorporated into the plan would be a huge boost to the area and to the 150 year old legendary rugby team - Swinton Lions

Glenn Roberts wroteat 11:15:58 AM on Friday, April 21, 2017

Surely incorporating a stadium for Swinton Lions into the plan will create something exciting for the town.....it's what the town needs !

Simon Green wroteat 11:15:55 AM on Friday, April 21, 2017

Could the plans include provision for a small (5000) capacity community stadium? This would be a shared facility and if particular interest to Swinton Lions RLFC. They would certainly be an excellent vehiclevfor branding purposes and ensuring high usage of the facility.

Shaun davies wroteat 9:13:44 AM on Friday, April 21, 2017

Will there be a rugby league ground available for swinton lions, may be a community stadium for everyone to use as well .AUA